Nameless Mining has discovered and proven a significant ore body of rhenium in Queensland. But the development costs are beyond their resources and they need a well-capitalised equity partner to fund and develop the mine.

While they’re in discussions with a global miner, one of their FIFO workers, John, hits rock bottom at the Gold Coast casino. He’s approached by a friendly Asian gambler who notices his losses and offers to help. In return for a simple favour, all his debts can be wiped out.

On his next site visit, John unobtrusively accesses an unlocked site office late one night. In the office, he finds the network password written on a Post-It note stuck to a monitor.

He downloads highly sensitive information — all the details of the size of the deposit, purity, estimate costs of mining and a unique processing technology not yet patented. Included in the stash is confidential information about the partnership arrangement. It all fits on a thumb drive. On his next visit to the casino John hands it over to his Asian contact and clears his debts.

When Nameless Mining’s team next meets with their prospective partner, the tone is frosty. They prospective partner has become aware of serious leaks of confidential information, exposing them to market rumours and potential embarrassment. Their Board is talking reputational damage. What’s worse, news has emerged of an even better rhenium ore body in Asia and the major would prefer to invest in world-class assets.

The partnership falls through. Potential revenue from their IP is now lost as they are unable to claim a patent. With the project now tarred by the controversy and their image as a trusted business dented, Nameless Mining is now facing an uphill battle to find a partner who can help make the mine a reality. Their future looks bleak.